The Last True V12 Lamborghini
Friends, it’s time to raise our glasses to Lamborghini. Whatever drink you may favor, let us virtually toast the end of a fantastic, glorious era. Lamborghini isn’t going away, but the Aventador is. And it’s taking the last naturally-aspirated Lambo V12 engine with it.
Lamborghini says the 
fuses the very best features of all previous versions while offering a modest power boost to its 6.5-liter V12. Developing 769 horsepower (574 kilowatts) at a heavenly 8,500 RPM, it is the most powerful au naturel 12-lunger to ever come from Sant’Agata Bolognese, so at least the engine will bow out at the top of its game. The ultimate evolution of the ultimate evolution, if you will.
It doesn’t get any clearer than that, but it’s important to note that the V12 may not be dead in the grand scheme of things. Lamborghini’s official language is careful to include mentions of traditional and naturally-aspirated. It’s entirely possible – and quite likely from our vantage point – that future Lamborghini supercars could use a V12 in a hybrid configuration. Yes, that already exists with the Sián, but we’re talking about a more conventional hybrid arrangement versus the Sián’s supercapacitor system. Smaller-displacement V12s with turbochargers could also be an option.
Whatever the future holds for Lamborghini, take a long look at the Aventador LP 780-4 Ultimae. You’ll never see another new Lambo like it again.
The V12 won’t be disappearing from Lamborghini’s line-up – it will continue on, but supported by electrification. Soon, we’ll see the manifestation of that in the Aventador’s hybrid replacement, due to be revealed in a couple of weeks. But before then, a send-off for plain old, pure, good and proper natural aspiration is here at the double. However, we are still looking at The Last True V12 Lamborghini.
These two new, one-off Lambos are Lamborghini’s way of celebrating the naturally aspirated V12. There’s the coupe, called Invencible, while the roadster member of the duo is called Auténtica. Both are little tribute acts not only to their source of propulsion, but some of the wilder creations to emerge from Lamborghini’s Centro Stile design HQ in recent years.
Lamborghini says that the cars take inspiration from other low-volume and bespoke projects. Some design elements are leveraged from the lightweight V10-powered Sesto Elemento, such as the rear wing found on the Invencible. While the sleek Reventon – of which only 20 were made – as well as the more recent and more exclusive Veneno, with its wild aerodynamics, are also namechecked by Lambo, along with the track-only Essenza SCV12.
Hexagonal design motifs are found throughout both cars, most prominently at the rear, with the shape defining the engine cover, taillight signature and the tri-exit exhaust system. The same hexagonal theme is found in the cabin, too, with 3D-printed vents sat prominently on the dashboard.
However, beyond the Invencible’s fixed roof and the Auténtica’s lack thereof, there are some further elements of differentiation. The paint chosen for both cars is one. The coupe takes on a Rosso Efesto shade mixed with naked carbon elements, while the Auténtica goes in a predominantly Grigio Titan shade of grey, and is completed with two roll-over hoops and a pair of fins in place of the Invencible’s large rear wing.
Both cars make use of the Aventador’s carbon-fibre monocoque, with wild bodywork built around the 6.5-litre V12 mounted behind the passenger cell. It’s the final and most ferocious version of this V12, shared with the Aventador SVJ and Ultimae, developing 780PS (574kW) and sending drive to all four wheels, via a seven-speed ISR transmission.
While the new models will undoubtedly quicker, it doesn’t soften the blow of knowing that we are looking at The Last True V12 Lamborghini.
